He was speaking after inaugurating the 19th History Congress organised by the History and Archaeology department of Tumkur University, here on Friday and said through complete studies the Karnataka History Congress should move towards giving a direction for modern thoughts.

More than the outside fears that are bothering us, it is the inner fear that has posed a challenge. Religious fanaticism, caste wars, exploited classes cry are more dangerous than even terrorism, he said expressing his fears.

Ananthapura Krishnadevaraya University vice chancellor Prof Ramarao Athota said, looking down the history, the kind of respect and the dignity that culture, literature, art was getting is not to be seen in today’s competitive world.

The technology that has been passed on from generations, the lifestyle and traditions should not be given up. It would be good if the present generation carries it forward, he advised.

Hampi Kannada University retired professor Prof Lakshman Telgavi said, in spite of the foreign experts studying about the many aspects, the Vijayanagar history is still not understood fully and there is a lot to be learnt, is something that has been established. However, these rulers who had protected and encouraged the Palegar system has completely been forgotten. For today’s historians this is something that has not interested them at all, which is an irony, he regretted.

Talking about Tipu Sultan’s contribution to Mysore’s model stature, he said, however, there have been lot of distortions of late of his Tipu’s role and as a result the students of history are confused, he said.Another area of concern is regarding the Mysore Wadiyar’s history and in contrast the Srirangapatna’s nawabs history being described as just a personal history which is not correct, he felt.

Outsider

It is not right to consider martyr Tipu as an outsider. It is an unhealthy development to see Tipu being used for their own person gains in intellectual debates, he said.

The historians should feel that the respect that is accorded to Tipu is also like being given to them and this is what needs to be reflected, he advised.

Siddanganga Mutt seer Sri Shivakumar Swami inaugurated the congress and blessed the occasion.

Tumkur University vice chancellor Prof O Anantharamaiah presided. Vedavathi and team rendered the invocation.

The sammelan’s local secretary L P Raju welcomed. Registrar T R Ranganath proposed a vote of thanks.